Wednesday, March 9, 2011

The Gift is in the Mail

I created this video tonight using some of the pictures I've taken of Neal over the past 6 years. Amazingly, this is not all of the goofy ones, just the first 3:21 worth that I came across. Sometimes I forget how much he makes me laugh on the daily. Usually, I get one shot to capture the funny and then he gets serious again. I've developed a very quick trigger finger.

This is Neal's third birthday that he has spent serving our country in either Iraq or Kuwait. And we can't even count all the birthdays he has spent training, drilling, or going to mandatory schools. Mama Virgo and I take off on our birthdays - we do everything short of declaring it a national holiday. But Neal just laces up his boots, slides on his sunglasses, and starts another day. And honestly, he would not have it any other way.

The video is a collage of Neal's greatest, set to Devil Take My Soul, by Son of Dave. What I really wanted was Blues Brothers' Soul Man...but YouTube is being all hallway monitor about music files (even though I just purchased it from iTunes an hour ago). Dear LimeWire users, you ruined it for all of us. Anyway, this was a "YouTube approved" song and it works too. Like Neal, it's funky, jazzy, and just a little bit dirty.

And even if you don't get a chance to watch the video, please leave him a birthday wish in the comments section. I'm sorry I no longer accept anonymous comments, but if you don't have or don't want a Google ID, then shoot me a note on Facebook and I'll make sure he gets it. It's hard to have the best birthday ever when you've just landed in a war zone, but maybe we can rock the comments so he feels the lurve from 1000 miles away!

PS I apologize for the distracting "Konica Minolta" text that keeps popping up. It it wasn't 2:30 AM and I hadn't just tried to load this video 8 times on YouTube, I would try to fix it. But maybe you can just think of it as anything with "Minolta" is back in the day. Our fancyschmancy Canon doesn't do that crap.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NEAL!!! 




28 comments:

  1. Happy, happy birthday Neal. I wish you all the happiness and success in this world. Much love to you and Allyson. We salute you CPT Miller. :)
    -Nahl

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  2. Happy happy birthday, Neal! I wish you could be here stateside to celebrate with your fabulous wife, but what you're doing is so important too. Just know this Kentucky belle is thinking of you and hope you get some special chow today in the desert! ;)

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  3. A Very Happy Birthday to Neal!!! A big THANK YOU to you for serving all of us and our wonderful country! Land of the FREE and Home of the Brave!

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  4. Happy Birthday Neal! Your service to our country is very much appreciated and honored.

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  5. Happy Birthday to you Neal. THANK YOU for what you are doing. You have always had my respect and I am proud to call you a good friend.
    Stay safe.

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  6. Love the video :) Happy Birthday Neal! Praying for your safety and hoping you have a great birthday!

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  7. Happy Birthday Neal!!! Thank you for spending your birthday in a warzone to make the world a better place. Stay safe.

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  8. Happy Birthday Neal!!! Thank you for spending your birthday in a warzone to make the world a better place. Stay safe.

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  9. Thanks to everyone for the happy wishes... Landed and believe it or not it was the first time it has been in the 60's upon landing and we actually had to stay on the plane until the lightening storm passed (something about it and metal stairs) and then it started a horizontal rain storm (they have about 3 rain storms a year)... Must have been a big Kuwati welcome... :-)

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  10. Happy Birthday Neal! We are praying for your safety and quick return! We hope there is a birthday cupcake or snickers bar somewhere in your vicinity.

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  11. What a sweet thing. And happy birthday to Neal! Here's hoping that next birthday you get a day off!

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  12. Happy Birthday Neal!
    It somehow doesn't seem fair that its your birthday and you are busy working to give us the best gift of all.
    Thank you for all you do.

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  13. Happy Birthday Neal!!! I hope when you're back home you and Ally have a birthday do-over evening! Thank you for all you do, and all you're doing for us! I appreciate it more than I could express! Ally you're and Neal are very lucky to have each other!!!

    ENJOY YOUR DAY NEAL! And try to think of the do-over when you get home!

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  14. Have a super Happy Birthday Neal!!!!!

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  15. Big, huge, happy birthday to Neal! I wish you were home so Ally could spank you! ;)

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  16. Happy Birthday Neal!!

    Ally, you did a great job! Can't decide if my favorite is the flowers in the mouth or the one of the video game with something resembling a stuffed animal hat on his head.

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  17. He is one cutie! Happy, Happy Birthday, Neal! We miss you!

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  18. Happy Birthday Neal!!

    Thank you for your service, and may you have a safe and speedy deployment!

    ~ A PROUD USMC wife (my hubs is in Afcrapistan halfway through his 12 month tour)

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  19. Happy Birthday to a warrior!!
    THANK YOU for the gift you give all of us; FREEDOM!

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  20. Happy Birthday to one of our National Heros

    Have a great birthday Neal!

    THANK YOU for serving our country!!

    THANK YOU

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  21. I know there's not a lot of leeway for Happy Birthdays in a war zone, but here's hoping that your good birthday karma for 2011 is transferred to 2012 when you're home with your lovely wife.

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  22. Neal, Happy Birthday from one Pisces to another, and thank you for your service. It's clear that the two of you are a great couple. All the best during your overseas stint, and come back safely to your best girl.

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  23. Happy, Happy! Video is super, but you know when payback comes, I have lots of interesting pics of Allyson - especially ones where she is sleeping. Next year, we celebrate your birthday in a big way - tasty treats, your favorite meal and lots of R&R! Stay safe - we love and miss you (Mama Virgo & Anna Banana)

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  24. A very happy birthday wishes and much gratitude for serving for us!

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  25. HAPPY (THOUGH BELATED) BIRTHDAY, NEALY-O!

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